Secretary's Umpiring Report 2009
Reading Lesley’s report about Mel and Jocelyn’s anniversaries made me realize that I’m about to start my 36th season with the area netball association. I can remember when they were schoolgirl players! It was just Cardiff to begin with, then South Glamorgan, now Cardiff & District. We’ve grown from 1 division playing half hour matches one night a week to 6 divisions playing hour matches over three nights. That’s what I call progress.
Unfortunately 58 teams require a few more umpires than 12 and I’m still wondering how volunteering to give Maria a hand a couple of seasons ago led to the dizzy heights of umpiring secretary, with all that responsibility. I thought I’d done my bit over the years!
I’d like to thank Lesley, Muriel, Wendy, Claire and Sarah for helping me deliver the rules forums at the start of the season, unfortunately attendance from the clubs was disappointing. However, those that did attend posed some interesting and occasionally challenging questions, the answers to which are on the website.
There is a list of approved umpires and the divisions they’re eligible for also on the website, if your club has an umpire whose details are incorrect I’d appreciate you informing me.
We are holding a long overdue Level 2 course on Sept 13th. Unfortunately W.N.A. have been understaffed and unable to run their promised courses, hence the delay.
The course is for C qualified umpires who which to progress. There are a number of excellent umpires in our league who I hope will take this opportunity to improve their qualification. We are also going to run a Level 1 course as soon as possible and the date will be announced on the website and displayed on league nights.
We have one new C umpire and a new B umpire this season in Debbie Stott (Heath Angels) and Matt Cole (Amersham), both of whom passed with ease, congratulations to you both. However we do need to push a few more budding umpires forward, hopefully the proposal to identify good umpires on the duty sheet (if passed) should help us to talent spot those with potential.
There is also a proposal on the table to raise the profile of our division umpiring reps. We hope this will make it easier to bring your concerns to us and spread the responsibility of improving the standard of umpiring in the league a little wider.
Lastly can I make a request that clubs ensure umpires details are filled in fully and accurately when the time comes to register, and ONLY approved umpires are listed.
Finally, could I take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who supported me in my efforts to raise umpiring standards last season.